Soccer, basketball, marathon in the world, golf, local martial arts is called “Silat Suffian Bela Diri”

Plants & Animals

Belalong Tree Frog is only found in Brunei and and was only relatively recently discovered. There are also: Proboscis monkeys, pigtail macaques, Burmese python, giant soft shell turtles, saltwater crocodiles

There are 35 species of plants that come only from Brunei, e.g., orchid Coelogyne bruneiensis

Nearly half the country is primary forest; because of its oil wealth, it has not had to exploit its other natural resources

Facts of Interest

Brunei has one of the highest standards of living in the world and the country’s economy depends on oil and gas industries.

It is illegal to drink alcohol in public; police can & do conduct random searches of cars for contraband

Traditionally, Bruneians don’t shake hands with the opposite sex or point with their index fingers; they use their thumbs to point

Women in Brunei have not been granted the right to vote

The same family has ruled Brunei for over 600 years; Sultan Hassanl Bolkiah is famous for the 5000 cars he owns

Bruneians get free education and health car, subsidized food and housing, and pay no personal income taxes

Concerns

Sharia law was introduced in 2014 and as a result, the death penalty can be administered for numerous offenses.

Homosexuality is illegal and punishable by stoning

Mission

Christian witness and work by foreigners is not permitted. Religious tolerance is in the constitution of Brunei, but many Christians are persecuted. Muslims are prohibited from converting to another religion and Christian activities are carefully controlled.